Thanks Ross - Very Helpful!!

Parts list calls for (9) #6x1 screws with ferrules for all 23rd (with rubber mat or carpet in front). I believe one of them is showing in your first picture near the corner of the rubber mat. Another must be in the opposite corner, so where are the general locations of the other 7?

Thanks again for all the info! I believe I can now make an accurate rubber mat template for the restoration / remanufacturer supplier of door sills and running boards (and hopefully rubber mats) I'm dealing with.

Great pictures and details - Thanks!

I assume carpet listed in the parts manual (#254474 for my trim code 69 and #258134 for your trim code 79) includes separate pieces for the foot rest, back floorboard and the sides by the door sills. Both trim codes have the same front mat so the dimensions of the rear carpet should be the same - maybe one is cut pile and the other hogs hair like you mentioned - just guessing.

Is the carpet beside the door sills one piece going under the seat or is it 2 separate small pieces? If it's 2 small pieces, what's under the front seat?

For the front mat, the majority of the bottom looks like carpet attached to the rubber, or is it different texture in the rubber? Also, can you send a close-up picture of the holes in the mat for the brake and gas peddles?

Thanks again!
- Sam

I've finally found a person that restores door sills and he's looking into reproducing the original front floor mat for my 2362 - trim code 69. I have a few un-known details to conclude my research and information for him.

Background:
When I bought my car, the front floor mat and rear carpet had been replaced with newer style "loop" carpeting (front-to-back and side-to-side), but the foot rest (attached to the rear of the front seat base for rear passengers) has cut-pile carpet still on it. I believe this was the original carpet material but I'm not sure???

According to the Packard parts list:
"CARPET ASSY-FLOOR REAR" Plate #31.418 - item #254474 - Hopefully includes the carpet for the foot rest but I'm not sure because there's no mention of it elsewhere in the list for body style 2362??? Also I believe the rear carpet covers the entire back floor board, under the front seat to the front rubber floor mat and between the front seat and door sills - but I'm not sure???

"MAT-FLOOR FRONT RUBBER" Plate #31.430 - item #406622 - appears to (from my research) cover from side-to-side and from bottom of the firewall cover to about 3~4 inches behind the front of the front seat base where it meets, or laps under or over the rear carpet???

Bottom line questions are:
1. Where and how does the front rubber mat and rear carpet meet?
2. Does the rear carpet also cover the foot rest, or is there a separate carpet part# that was omitted from the parts list or did I over-look it?
3. Does the rear carpet also extend underneath the front seat and cover the floor area between the door sills and front seat? (clarification on question #1 may answer this)

Any clarification and or pictures is greatly appreciated - as always!!

- Sam

I've seen pictures with unpainted and painted striker plates in 23rd series Eights. Any input on which way the factory went?

Thanks for any input!

Tomorrow my 2362 series goes to the paint shop and I'm looking to verify a couple "factory correct" points:
1. Were the door latches and striker plates mounted and painted with the car?
2. Other than the screws in the hinge post metal core weather strip, were there any other screws or parts not painted with the body? (door hinges, bolt on top of firewall, etc..)
3. Flocking in trunk - correct for 1950? - Entire inside of trunk (including bottom and wheel welds?
4. Any other point that are sometimes restored or painted incorrectly for 1950 23rd series???

Thanks,
- Sam

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Thanks JD!

Making final adjustments on my carb rebuild (Carter WDO 644s - 1950 2362), I noticed a "vent" or hole in the base. There's a screen inside at the top of the hole which makes it look like it's designed to allow air in. The hole is bored up from the bottom of the base and has another opening from the side. The base gasket only seals about 80% of the bottom hole and the side is not blocked at all. I'm not sure if have the correct base gasket, or if the side hole is missing something or both should be left as is.
-Any thoughts on this is (as always) appreciated!

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Thanks Owen,

I saw the wedge and it looks like it has reverse teeth holding it in. I placed a L-hook behind it but was a little hesitant to pull too hard. Any special type tool, or since it's lead could it be melted without damaging the bird?

Hi Loshar,

Welcome to the Packard world! Your post caught my eye because I'm about 80% through my project - also a 2362-5 Deluxe Eight. My original plan was to keep in driving condition while restoring portions along the way. That plan ended on the first body repair job where one thing led to another. Before long the body was off the chassis and all but the engine block was dissembled. 3 1/2 years and $11,951 later, all's left to do is paint, chrome and interior. My daughter has it in her wedding plans in June 2015 so that' my deadline.

Anyway, your 8 looks great. Good luck restoring her, and speak-out whenever you have questions.

(here's a few stages of my journey)

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OK, it's finally time for chrome and I need to remove the wings from my 23rd series Cormorant and I'm concerned about any "irreversible adjustments" I might make.

Does anyone have any experience or pointers on removing, chroming and replacing the wings?

Thanks!

-Sam

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